Ball Review


Motiv: Thrash Frenzy Hook 48 • Length 16 • Breakpoint Shape 16


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////// Manufacturer’s Intent:


“The new Thrash Frenzy is built for medium oil and late hook,” says Mo- tiv’s Scott Hewitt. “It is a pearl ball with plenty of length and a very angular back-end motion. In partic- ular, we designed this to be a ball that would be amazing on a shot that is getting beat up. When the Primal Scream [Octo- ber 2012] begins to burn up energy and hit weak, we


want people to be able to transition into the Thrash Frenzy.”


Core Design: The Quadfi re core has an RG of 2.55 with a diff erential of .043 for 15-lb. equipment. The taller design shape helps ensure length, and the .043 diff erential pro- vides nearly 4.5 inches of track fl are for down-lane hook.


Coverstock: The Whiplash pearl coverstock provides long and strong motion. Coloring is an attractive blend of blue and aqua pearl. Fac- tory fi nish is 2000 grit, with a Motiv Gel polishing. Our laser reading is 5275 eff ective surface grit, with a Ra of 2.10 — great for added length. Oil traction is very limited and response


time off dry is quick and strong. Test Results: The Thrash


Frenzy is Motiv’s best choice for a skid/fl ip ball motion for medium and lighter oil vol- umes. It off ers less total hook than the Primal Scream or Pri- mal Impulse (December 2011), but more than the pearl Ascent (July 2012). Hitting power is above average for all the Motiv balls we’ve tested this past year, likely due to the new reactive resin supplier the com-


pany secured.


When to Use: On fresh medium oil patterns, the Thrash Frenzy was a touch too skid/fl ippy for our liking, but that was not Motiv’s intended condition. On moderate to severe breakdown, the ball was at home and performed very well for us. Energy retention was never an issue, even for our slower low rev tester. Our higher speed tester (18-mph-plus) enjoyed the hitting and carry power, but he did need to pay attention to his speed control, as any excess speed on his part created too much push in the midlane. Fortunately, Motiv off ers a multitude of length, hook and motion shapes to help suit any bowler’s physical game.


TIPS AND TRICKS TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER


Track: 503A Hook 47 • Length 16 • Breakpoint Shape 16


////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////// Manufacturer’s Intent:


“When we designed the 503A, we were looking for something that would complement our other off erings in the 500 series,” says Rich Hanson, Track’s brand manager. “The 508A [February 2012] off ered the reaction people expect from our ‘A’ series, with a touch stronger read of the midlane. With the 503A, we wanted to go with the tradi- tional skid/fl ip type of reaction.” Core Design: The 503A has the


same asymmetric Packman core found in the 503C (July 2011) and 503T (not reviewed). The RG is 2.51, with a .057 dif- ferential. The PSA is .003, which is rather low, allowing for symmetric drilling layouts if preferred.


Coverstock: The Gen MA (Moderate Angle) coverstock is destined for use on light to medium oil volumes. Colors are a fusion of black, purple and red. The sur- face is sanded with 800, 1000 and 2000 grit Abralon and fi nished with Power- house polish. The Ra measurement of 1.55 and the 5350 eff ective surface grit reading are great on lighter oil concen- trations. Response time is quick off drier areas, and oil traction is very limited.


Test Results: The 503A impressed us with its ability to negotiate the driest of head and mid-lane sec- tions during our testing rigors. We also were impressed with the breakpoint angle it created on broken-down patterns with clean backends. Hitting and carry pow- er also were quite good when presented with this type of lane condition. On heavier patterns and those with carrydown in


play, the 503A had some diffi culty making the corner for our group. Our options were to lightly scuff the surface or use a stronger ball such as the 718A (February 2011) or 912T (July 2012). Our preferred layouts for a stronger skid/fl ip motion positioned the pin above the fi ngers and the PSA marking about 1 inch right of the thumb hole.


When to Use: Use confi dently on light or drier broken-down oil patterns with reason- ably clean backends. Higher rev rate players may be able to overcome added carrydown, while the rest of the bowling world will sim- ply choose a stronger ball option. The 503A also matched up well on a medium volume fresh house shot when we played in the friction area of the ball track. On that shot, we preferred our pin positioned near grip center. Track has produced some of the bet- ter mid-priced choices in the marketplace.


/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////// March 2013 20


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26